Can Fecal Microbiota Transplantation (FMT) Eradicate Fecal Colonization With Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococci (VRE)?

FMT, fecal microbiota transplantation; CDI, Clostridium difficile infection; HTN, hypertension; DM, diabetes mellitus; RA, rheumatoid arthritis; VRE, vancomycin-resistant enterococci. a Patient 1 was discharged from the hospital 1 month after FMT. Specifically, the presence of Barnesiella species in the intestinal tract was able to confer resistance to VRE in patients undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.4 Stielfel et al5 reported that cephalosporinase-producing Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron prevented overgrowth of VRE and C. difficile in cephalosporin-treated mice. In an industry-sponsored trial using an experimental microbiota suspension, 8 of 11 patients (73%) became VRE negative 1–6 months following FMT by enema.6 However, the patients could have experienced spontaneous eradication. Because clearance of VRE varies widely, occurring after a median time of